Ast op treating liquid substances



c. R. MABEE; ART OF TREATING LIQUID SUBSTANCES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT 24, I913. RENEWED JULY 12, 1916. .1,420,644 Patented June 27, 1922.

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Mid www- *%wz@ Q. @2104, N. Wax/Wm? Qu UNITEE CHARLES R. IIJLABEE, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

ART OF TREATING LIQUID SUBSTANCES.

Specification of Letters Yatenc.

Patented June 27, 1922.

Application filed October 24, 1913, Serial No. 797,087. Renewed July 12, 1916. Serial No. 108,956.

To all whom it may come/w:

lie it known that l, turn-mus it. Mannie, a citizen of the United vStates, residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful improvements in the Art of lreating Liquid Substances. of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to the art of evaporation and pertains more particularly to a method wherein the substance to be treated or evaporated is maintained in active proximity to a treating surface under prcsssure towards and movable across or over the treating surface.

In treating substances for evaporating the water therefrom. either to reduce the material to a solid, ponder, or dried state, or the entire mass to a concentrated or semi-' liquid state, it has been customary heretofore to place the substance in bulk in a heated container. and to constantly stir the material during the treatment, with a view of causing the same to come into contact with the heated surface of the container from which the material, by the stirring action. continuously moves toward and from the surface. This is commonly known in the art as the stirring method.

Treatment of milk has also been carried on by whatis known as the vacuum process and tnerc have also been suggested many other systems of evaporation such as the injection of heated air into the liquid. As far as l have been advised, however. all of the systems heretofore employed have been expensive and required a long period of treatment to effect the results desired.

My present method has to do with the treatment of substances for evaporation in a very rapid and pronouncedly economical manner. The method also comprises a continuous process, as distinguished from an intermittent procedure. in treating liquid substances or substances containing liquid prolonged method. It has been ascertained, however, from the method presently to be described that by treating the material under pressure, employing conveniently centrifugal force, and in a manner to permit the gases and vapors to escape readily, and also while maintaining the material under constant movement or advancement over the heated surface, better, more economical and expeditious results are obtained than with either the vacuum or open pan methods.

he invention may be characterized definitely as one wherein a. relatively shallow body of material in liquid form or contain ing liquid, is maintained and subjected while under gyratory motion in a circular path, to the action of centrifugal force, which carries and holds the same in contact with or in proximity to a surface having a temperature differing from that of the material to be treated, and at the same time retaining a free space into which the generated vapors or gases readily pass and escape, or are abstracted.

in carrying out the art or method, numerous forms of apparatus may be employed, but for the purpose of these specifications, an apparatus is shown and described by way of illustration only, the same having been ascertained to be useful and satisfactory, in this connection.

In the drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of anapparatus of the character referred to, partly broken away, and partly in section, to better illustrate the interior construction.

Figure 2 is a transverse section.

Figure 3 is a similar section illustrating the apparatus in action;

l igure t is a detail perspective view, enlarged, of a portion of the breaker and con veyor means.

With more particular reference to the drawings. wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views, 'll designate suitable standards adapted to support a rotatable shaft 2. which latter is driven at a high rate of speed, in any desired manner, as for instance by the connected pulley 3, actuated by a suitable belt 4-. Arranged between the standards 1 is a suitable cylindrical drum 5. preferably stationary and positioned on suitable feet 6. The drum is preferably open at opposite ends, as illustrated at 7. These openings are preferably elliptical, the wall 7 surrounding the openings having an time, the lower portion of the openings are positioned a sufficient distance above the base of the drum to prevent any splashing of the material out of the ends of the drum through said openings.

A sleeve or jacket 8 surrounds the drum and is suitably connected thereto so as to provide an intervening space 9. Supported on the shaft 2 is a suitable rotary breaker and conveyor mechanism. The said mechanism is preferably made up as follows:

Spokes or webs 10 are secured at intervals on the shaft 2,three sets being showu. Projecting between. the webs 10 are elongated longitudinally extending brace bars 12, upon which are mounted annular rings or rims ll. Arranged at suitable intervals about the periphery of the wheel tormed by the parts just described are conveyorinembers preferably comprising angle bars 13 secured to the rims 11 in any desired manner. the flanges lei: of which are adapted to. in the rotary movement of the device, pick up and carry the material to and around the inner surface of the drum. The conveyor members preferably extend from end to end ol. the breaker and conveyor mechanism.

rrrranp'ed to extend between flanges ll. oi. the annular rim members 11 l. and at closely associated distances apart are suitable chains 15. such chains being connected in any desired manner, tor instance. illustrated at l6. and preferably substantially flush with the plane of the outer edge of the flanges il-lof the conveyor members proper.

The chains 15 or equivalent means co operate with the members Ll to convey the liquid or substance and impart a rotary movement thereto. and the chains further s4 re to break up the material into line particles. making it easier or more direct for the gases or "vapors to pass through the liquid or substance which takes the form ot a film or wheel on the inner periphery of the drum.

' A suitable means for exteriorly heating the drum preferably takes the form oi eani or the like enterin" the outer acket at 17,

the steam encircling the drum and filling the space formed between the drum and surrounding jacket. It is obvious. of course. that material other than steam may be in troduced into the jacket according to the desired treatment. '7

The evaporating process may be accelerated somewhat by the introduction. at suitable intervals. into the drum, oi air or steam, orboth. according to conditions This prelerab Y accomplished through the mel I projecting through the cket. there being two Sets of air pipes atrwh though any desired number of each be employed. These pipes have suituole outlet nipples 2O leadi' gr through open- 21 in th periphery of the drum. The pics 20 are preterably arranged With i outlets oil'set the direction. of to ration of the breah r and conveyor mechanism. to the end that the air or steam, or both. will be introduced by an entrain'ing action due to the movement or the fluid or substance about the inner surface of the drum. The air or steanil pas as through the film oi fluid or substance tl'iereby assistthe moisture therefrom.

i in abstracti11g;-

(lther material or in lieu 01'. or in addition to air or steam may be utilized. and any ol the pipes may be closed at valves 2i: The nipples welded to the Wall sur- 21 so as to term a will by suitable are conwiniently rrurnding the openings closed joint.

The milk or naterial to be treated is preilibly intrmlrused adjacent one end of the drum through the medium of a pipe or chn": 22, havin an outlet so as to dischar e moved at any convenient point about the peri hery oi. the drum. and as illustrated. an outlet port :23 may be provided in the drum conue ted with a tangentially arranged pipe or line adapted to discharge into a. suitable trough or runway or into other containers should it be desired to employ the multiple process. The outlet tube :24- is prelerably arranged at the opposite end oi? the drum to the inlet 21 and the treated uiate- Hall will. ot its own motion. ind an outlet through said pipe.

in carryiiua; out the method with the apparatus above described. substantially the following may be regarded as the procedure. li e shall assume that the li uid being: treatcd is milk. a) mill: is ha into the drum cmirenicntly at one end: the conveyors hay-- .iuu' ni'eviously been in motion re travelli n the rate amn'oxnnatclv from 200 to 2M revolutions per minute {the speed may lo altered accordn to conditions). The

material is not allowed to settle, but as stated, accumulates and has a movement over the surface in a forward direction. It has been observed that the movement of the material in its circular course over the heated surface is somewhat likened to that of a wheel rim when in motion. It has been also ascertained that the speed of the moving body approximates four-fifths of the speed of the conveyors. By the relative lagging movement of the material and by the employment of the chains referred to, the material is subjected more or less to a breakingup action, which greatly facilitates and ac celerates the evaporating process, inasmuch as the molecules or particles are somewhat separated and the gases arising are more quickly liberated and permitted to enter the quiet zone within the moving ring of material. The material or liquid being carried up and deposited has a tendency to increase in thicki'iess, as above intimated, largely through the attractive or carrying forces, so that the inner face of the ring-shaped body Ojf liquid presents a perfectly smooth surface throughout, as distinguished from a broken-up or rutlled surface. The conveyors are arranged conveniently within about one-half of an inch of the drmn surface and maintain the liquid properly therebeyond in position and in contact or adjacent the heating surface by the centrifugal force created, While the outer surface or portions of the liquid belt. as above indicated, is maintained in position by the centrifugal action, as I understand. and possibly also by the sucking action of the more rapidly moving conveyors and the natural entraining action of the material itself. The relatively fast movement of the conveyors maintains the orbital action of the moving material. so that the liquid is retained .in closed and forcible contact with or in proximity to the heating surface. The heated gases and vapors generated at or adjacent the surface. being lighter than the liquid. will pass off therethrough, carrying with them moisture and finding exit through the quiet zone at the center of the drum. These vapors may be. allowed to escape into the air more eonveniently and may be collected or abstracted and conducted to other separators in a man no:- known as the multiplying system of treatment.

it has been found that in prl'alucii'ig the product known as the con fcctioneus brand of milk, by this method. the sugar incorporated with the liquid which is a very material percentage thereof. will be absorbed and will not crystallize during treatment or after treatment. as it does in other known processes.

\Vhile it is believed that the action of the physical forces, as above suggested. is correcl, it is to be understood, however, that having ascertained that the result is as described, the action of the physical force may be somewhat different from that suggested.

During the continued operation of the machine, the milk being fed in at one end is automatically and continuously discharged at the other end in a concentrated form or semi-liquid form. The milk at no time settles at the bottom and the abstraction can occur at any convenient point near the periphery of the drum. The method may, therefore, be characterized as a continuous method.

While excellent results have been obtained with a drum having imperforate walls, the operation may be accelerated somewhat by iulrodiming at intervals, the air or steam through the openings in the walls and pipes above referred to. The air or steam is introduced into the drum and into the body of liquid or substance preferably by an entraining action, and it penetrates the walls of the liquid cylinder passing into the interior, the fluid in its passage abstracting moisture from the material and entering the quiet zone. Where it is desired to subject the volume of material to the action of steam alone for usual treatment of the milk constituents such as the casein, it is only necessary to close the air pipe valves or to eliminate these pipes. Other material or gases in lieu of or in addition to the air or steam may be employed.

While in describing the method, milk has been used as an illustration, with which the method may be employed, it is to be understood that other substances may be treated without departing from the invention.

An additional and highly important result of the present method is the elimination of the customary entrainment of a considerable proportion of the solids which under existing practices, where the sub stances are not subjected to pressure during evaporation, would be carried off with the gases and vapors emanating from the body of the substance. In the present method the rapid rotary movement and continuous centrifugal force to which the substance is constantly subjected would prevent any portion of the solids being entrained and lost with the discharged vapors and gases.

I desire to emphasize the "fact that in the treatment of certain substance the introduction of air in a. manner so that it will enter or pass through the substance being treated is important.

It has been ascertained in practice that in carrying out the method as described by the generation of the force within through the instrumentality of the conveyors or other means. that the rim or film of material being treated is agitated in a manner which creates throughout the moving body of material a disturbance of the particles, thus producing; a film wherein particles are continuously agitated. This action, as has been ascertained, expedites the treatment.

l have in other, copending, applications illustrated and described modified forms oi? evaporating or condensing apparatus, and modified methods of procedure in evaporat- ,g or condensing Work.

.ln application No. 718,114, filed August 1912, and application No. 277,904, (a d vision of N0. 718,1lfl), filed l ebrua'ry l i, I 9, I illustrated and described a mechanism and the method followed in using the same, relating to the forming of a liim or layer on the inner surface of the heating; cylinder, together with a vacuum exhaust duct communicating with the cylinder.

in my application Serial No. 7258,17S, filed December 223, i912, l have illustrated and described a method of forming a layer or stratum of vagorizable material on the inner surface O'l heated tubular container, the container being provided with a copious discharge for the vapors, vacuum creating means, and means whereby the stratum, at its end, can be sharply de ned, as by extending an abutment radially inward from the container Wall.

in my copending application Serial No. 805,598, filed December 9, 1913. a division of the present application, I have described. and claimed an apparatus use'lnl in carrying out the method herein contemplated.

(Rafter care'lul review of the record in this application and comparison thereof With that in applicants copending application Serial "377.90 1, filed l e'oruary l 1%. 'li 'l 2), it is seen that to avoid confusion and to properly correlate these records, the claims that have been appearing herein as llos. ii-l and should be transferred to said other application No. 277,90 l, applicant having this day filed an amendment asking the insertion of these claims in said application Serial No. 277304;. This amendment is being made after conference with the Examiner, and an ll'lClGI'SlLlLIldlIlfZ that this transfer can properly be made.)

In applications Nos. 0,757, filed July '19, 1915, and No. 77,996, filed February 12, 1916, I illustrated and described another modified mechanism and method.

And I do not herein claim any of the subjects matter presented. by the claims in any of the said several (o-pending applications.

I. claim 1. The art of treating liquid niateri l or material containing liquid which consists in subjecting a continuous relatively shallow body of material While under gyratory motion in a circular path to the action of contrihigitl force While in contact with a surface having a temperature differing' from that of the material being treated, and at the same time retaining Within the center of the shallou body of moving; material a treeinto which the vapors or see are to escape from the material, and introducing e'vaporatir fluid into the body of m terial.

2. The art of evaporation which consists nplying to the inner surface oi. an 8.2.- .lly heated cylindrical container, a SlllJ- 'ally uniform layer of fiance, rnziinlayer in contac the inner lloningr he; ees to pass from the e rior of the container through the substance into the hollow interior of the ring; 0 l substan e, and f uhiecting said ring of ihstance to a rotary mo. uncut relative to said surface.

2%. The art of treating a sub evaporahle constituents cousisini eluciug the substance into a tainer ol" circular cross causing the substance to assu .7 a. layer on the treating sur are maintainlug the layer formation throiu 'hout tread;- inent, rapidly moving; the laj-ver circularly ove the treating; surface. and siuuiltancor c y causing the entire body to move from a point approximate oi the container, while nerinilin ig the rapors to independent escape from the con ta] ner.

a. The improved method o'l treatinc substance consisting in applying by ceuti lupgal Force a layer 0'! the substance (the interior sur'l ace oi an exteriorly heater} cylin- 'lrii'nl. container, maintaining the layer of niuterial in continui'uis rotary movement over said surface. and introduc ng through e cylinder and inwardly inio the la or ill .iporating fluid.

The improved method oi treatino substance consisting in applying by ceutril ;:il l'oree a layer oil the valance to the rior surface of an oi eriorl heated cylindrical container, inaintainiiur the layer of material in continuous rotary movement over said surface. exerting:- pressure to the outer surface of the layer. and iut-roduii'iugg through the. cylinder to the inner surl'ace ol' the layer air and steam, the film uiaintaiiv ing a hollow central space into which the vapors pass from the layer.

6. The art of evaporation. which consists in applying to the inner surface of an externally heated cylindrical container open to maintain substantially atmospheric pressure therein an endless layer of substance. subjecting the same while in layer 'l orination to continuous rapid circular movement over the surface while maintainingthe same under simultaneously lengthwise movement spreading continuously toward the outlet end of the container. maintaining a central quiet zone within the layer, and permitting the vapors to escape from said zone.

7. The art of evaporation consisting in projecting a rim of i'uaterial onto a heated surface. moving the material over the sur face and introducing a treating Fluid inwardly into the material.

8. The art of evaporation consist-nu; in centrifugally disposing a layer of liquid onto a heating surface, causing the layer to move with relation to the heated surface. and entraining air into the material during its movement.

9. The art of evaporation consisting of centrifugally disposing a layer of liquid onto a heating surface. causing the liquid to move over the heating surface, and causing air to enter the said material from its outer portions inwardly.

10. The art of evaporation consisting of cent-rifugally disposing a layer of liquid onto a heating surface. causing the liquid to move over the. heating surface, and causing air to enter the said material during its treatment.

11. The artof evaporation consisting in a. layer of material over a cvhndrical heated surface. causing the material to move over the surface. while maintaining the same in contact with the surface. and subjecting said material to a. treating fluid.

.12. The art of treating material to change its consistency consisting in maintaining a hollow cylindrical layer of material under force against and causing it to more in a circular pat-h over a surface having a temperature different from that of the material being treated, and introducing air to the said material.

13. The method of treating a substance containing liquid to change its consisteniy. consisting in introducing a. volume of the substance into a treating container of circular cross-section, causing the material to as sume the form of a thin substantially uniform layer on the wall of the container, maintaining the layer format-ion through out treatment, rapidly moving the substance circularly over the surface. causing the maintained layer to progress lengthwise of the container, heating the wall of the container to cause a rapid evaporation of the liquid, permitting the gases and vapors to escape inwardly from the layer and from the container, and allowing the treated material to escape from the container at a point re mote from the point where the material is first applied to the surface.

1 1:. The process of concentrating a substance containing liquid consisting in introducing the substance into a container of substantially circular cross section heated to a temperature sufiicient to vaporize liquid constituents of the substance at substantially atmospheric pressure, shaping the substance in a unitary layer of continuous exterior conformation and with an interior substantially unobstructed vapor zone, rapidly moving the layer circularly over the surface and simultaneously causing the entire body of substance to move from the point of intro duction toward the opposite end of the container, permitting the substance to escape after treatment, and permitting the vapor to escape inwardly from the layer and freely from the container.

15. The method of condensing liquids consisting in introducing the liquid into a cylindrical heated container, centrifugally shaping the liquid with an interior vapor zone, moving the liquid endwise of the container, and simultaneously subjecting the liquid to a breaking up action without destroying the vapor zone.

l6. The process of concentrating a substance containing liquid consisting in introducing the substance into a container of substantially circular cross section heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize liquid constituents of the substance at substan tially atmospheric pressure, shaping the sub stance in a layer upon the interior surface of the container, rapidly moving the layer circularly over the surface and simultaneously causing the entire body of substance to movefrom the point of introduction to ward the opposite end of the container, permitting the substance to escape after treatment, and permitting the vapor to escape inwardly from the layer and freely from the container.

lT. The process of concentrating a substance containing liquid consisting in introduring the substance into a container of subslantially circular cross section heated to a temperature sullicient to vaporize liquid constituents of the substance at substantially atnmsphericpressure, shaping the substance in a layer upon the interior surface of the container, rapidly moving the layer circularly over the surface and simultaneously causing the entire body of substance to move from the point of introduction toward the opposite end of the container, permitting the substance to escape after treatment, permitting the vapor to escape inwardly from the layer and freely from the container, and subjecting the substance of which the layer is composed to agitation.

l8. The art of treating material containing liquid which consists in subjecting a continuous relatively shallow body of material while under gyratory motion in a circular path to the action of centrifugal force while in contact with a surface having a temperature different from that of the material being treated, and at the same time retaining within the center of the shallow body of moving material a free quiet space into which the vapors or gases are allowed to escape from the material, and introducing treating fluid into the body of material.

19. The process of condensing mill: consisting in introducing the milk into a container of substantially circular cross section heated to a temperature suilicient to vaporize liquid constituents of the mill; at substair tially atmospheric pressure, shaping the milk in a unitary layer of substantially continuous exterior conformation and with an interior vapor zone, rapidly moving the layer circularly over the surface and simultaneously causing the entire body of milk to move from the inlet toward the outlet of the container, permitting the milk to escape after treatment, and permitting the vapor to escape inwardly from the layer and freely from the container.

20. The art of treating a substance haw ing evaporable constituents consisting in iutroducing the substance into a treating container of circular cross section, positively causing the substance to assume the form of a layer on the treating surface, maintaining the layer formation throughout treatment, rapidly moving the layer circularly over the treating surface and simultaneously causing the entire body to move from a point ap proximately the point of introduction to the opposite end of the container, heating the treating surface to drive oil evaporaliilc constituents and permitting the driven oti' gases and vapor to escape inwardly from the layer and from the container.

21. The method of evaporating a liquid containing substance, which consists: in uniformly heating a tubular container, supplying and causing the substance s suppl to form a thin substantially uniform crlindrical layer upon the interior face id container While maintaining the par s composing said substance in subst; the same order of flow, maintai v layer under the pressure of centrifugal force maintaining a 'apor receiving spare throughout the length of the substance lined heated container and permitting the escape of vapors therefroun and u'il'lulrawing the evaporated substance from the opposite end of the said tubular container.

The improved method of treating sub stance consisting in the applying by ccntri iugal force a layer of the substance to the interior surface of an exteriorly heated c lindrical containen maintaining the layer or material in continuous rotary inovcl'ncnt over said surface, and introducing a fluid different from that being treated into the layer.

2". The art of evaporating mill: or simi ar substances containing liquid which cons u in supplying the substance into one end of a container having a substantially continuous unbroken cylindrical treating surface subjccting s i l ti ating surface to uniform to iiierature throughout suliicient to Q'WLPOFZL; liquid constituents of tlr: substance, sulr jccting the substance to the ZiCLlOU of thorewith contacting rapidly rotatal'ilc conve whereby the sul tance is ciused to a: vmun: and maintain a continu us circular layer formation movable circularly and longitudinally in the same general direction in contact with the cylindrical treating surfacc and whereby there is maintained a central vapor space Within ti o lay of material from end to end of sai. i eating SlfT'ftlCQ and Withdrawing the evaporated substance from the opposite end of the treating surface.

2 1:. The improved method of trcatin a sal stance consisting in applying by centrirugal 'lkircc a layer of the substance to the interior surface of an crzteriorly heated cylindrical container, maintaining the la c: of material in continuous rotary movement over said surface, and introducing a liuid different from that bcin treated through the cylinder into the la n the vfilm maintaining a hollow central space into which the vapors pass from the layer,

25. The art of evaporation cmusisting of ccntrifugally disposing a la -Jr of liquid onto a heating surface causing the liquid to more over the heating surface and causing a fluid tocntcr the outer surface of the said malarial.

The process of changing the consistency of material which consists in sub jet-ting a cylindrical layer of material to continuous uninterlrupied IUOYGlllGlll] rclatire to and While in cmitact with a treating surface having a temperature d fferent from that of the nmtcrial, and introducing fluid different from that of the material treated into the body of the material, dursaid relative movement.

. The method of concentrating a subncc containing liquid consisting in introducing the substance into one end of a com taincr of substantially circular cross-section heated to a temperature sudiicicut to vaporize liquid constituents}; of the risul'istancc shaping the substance in a layer upon the interim surface oi the containen rapidly moving the layer circularly over the surface CHARLES R. MABEE.

ll itncsses A. lvlAmIN t, A, Klimt 

